AN ENDURING FRAMEWORK

Chapter 9 Section 4

The Constitution

The Constitution The Constitution has endured for more than

200 years because it is flexible. It’s powers are stated in broad terms rather than detailed terms, and it can be amended.

Elastic clause- the broad power given to the Constitution because it could be stretched to fit changing needs over time.

Popular sovereignty-letting the people rule

Elastic Clause

Popular Sovereignty

Federalism Federalism- the division of power between

the states and national government

Powers of National Government:

-maintain army and navy

-declare war

-coin money

-regulate trade between states and with foreign nations

-make all laws necessary for carrying out delegated powers

Federalism

Shared Powers ( National and State):

-enforce laws

-establish courts

-borrow money

-protect the health and safety of the people

-build roads

-collect taxes

Federalism

Powers of the State Government

-conduct elections

-establish schools

-regulate business within the state

-establish local government

-regulate marriages

-assume other powers not given to the national government or denied to the state

Federalism

Separation of Powers

Only Congress makes the laws, only the executive branch enforces them, and only the courts have the final say in interpreting them. As a result no one branch of government can become too powerful

Separation of powers-the division of power between the three branches of government

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances The President can check the lawmaking power

of Congress by vetoing-refusing to approve-a law he thinks unwise or unfair. Congress can check the President’s veto power by overriding a veto with two-thirds vote of both houses. The Supreme Court can check both the power of the President and the Congress by declaring their actions unconstitutional.

Checks and balances- the system by which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two.

Checks and Balances